New car brands and energy companies join Go Ultra Low

Go Ultra Low, the joint government and industry campaign to promote the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) has announced the inclusion of a host of new manufacturer brands, plus several energy companies.

Go Ultra Low now includes Audi, BMW, DS, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, MINI, Peugeot, Renault, smart, Tesla, Toyota and Volkswagen, with more manufacturers due to join.

In order to enable the campaign to “provide a more comprehensive view of EV ownership”, for the first time Go Ultra Low is also “joining forces with energy providers”. Centrica, EDF Energy, E.ON, Octopus Energy (and sister company Octopus Electric Vehicles) and SSE Enterprise have all joined the campaign to “help consumers and organisations understand the benefits, cost savings, and capabilities that EVs offer”.

Working together

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said: “We want to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality to safeguard our children’s future and leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it.

“The Go Ultra Low campaign is just one example of how Government and industry are working together to make the UK the best place in the world to own and run an electric vehicle, as we drive towards a greener future.”

Huge potential

Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “As electric vehicle sales reach record high, the potential of this market for the UK car industry and wider economy is huge.  

“We are committed to achieving our aim for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040 and I welcome the Go Ultra Low Campaign which will further support the transition to electric cars on our roads.”

The time is right

Poppy Welch, Head of Go Ultra Low, added: “When we look at the EV market, it is clear we’re on the way towards electric mobility becoming part of everyday life for UK motorists. Electric cars are great to drive, can be very cheap to run and help improve local air quality. With, prices moving closer to that of their petrol or diesel counterparts, an expanding chargepoint network and an increasing number of models available, there has never been a better time to consider an EV as your next car.

Surge of interest

The relaunched campaign comes at a time when new company car tax rates, which incentivise electric cars, have restored fleets' confidence and boosted orders for ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs).

Lex Autolease, the UK’s largest leasing company, financing almost 400,000 cars and vans, told Fleet News that orders for pure electric cars had increased by 123% since the new benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax rates were announced.